I recently had the opportunity to meet MPW’s Student Council, going behind the scenes to see what they do for the college and for students. I spoke to the Chair, Sophie Dickson, to find out more.

She explained that the Student Council’s role is to listen to what the students have to say, taking their input to better their lives and the college experience, making adjustments and improvements to the college to improve the welfare and wellbeing of the students. Sophie said she wants to “become the voice of the students at MPW, voicing their opinions to a higher power in the college.”

At the moment, their agenda is to make college life more fulfilling and fun for the students, especially due to the coronavirus. Social activites have sadly been limited, yet they’re trying to set up a dress-up day for Halloween, where students will wear a Halloween-themed costume, donating £2 for a charity such as the Rainbow Trust, a charity which provides emotional and practical support for families that have a child that has a life-threatening condition or terminal illness.

Sophie has “fought nail and tooth” to bring back the pool table which was taken away to make the school environment more covid-secure, while conforming to social distancing measures. The Chair herself said she wants to “improve the school as much as possible in relation to covid-19, to make everyone as comfortable as possible, to make life easier, especially for those students who have GCSE and A-level exams this year.“ Due to the coronavirus, students are concerned about their upcoming exams, if they will happen, if CAGS (certified assessment grades) will be given and it’s natuarally a stressful time for us all.

The Student Council is also championing green causes by requesting that reusable college bottles are given out to students, instead of reinstating paper cups, making the college more hygienic and environmentally friendly.

There is also talk of PureGym becoming the college gym as an alternative to the current gym based at Imperial College, which is temporarily closed. Another point of discussion was around swapping the art and photography pieces displayed throughout the college, with the work of current students, as a way of improving student morale.

The role of informing the student body of all of these updates, clubs and events falls to Inessa, who is Publicity Chair.

Based on what I saw at the Student Council meeting, I have every faith that they will help to make this academic year as uplifting, relaxed and enjoyable as possible!